Full Title: Air Supremacy The Surprisingly Important Dogfight over Climate Pollution from International Aviation
Author(s): Nigel Purvis and Samuel Grausz
Publisher(s): German Marshall Fund of the United States
Publication Date: October 1, 2012
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Description (excerpt):
Europe favors multilateralism, whereas the United States refuses to be tied down. Landmines, International Criminal Court, Kyoto, and so on — case closed. But wait, what’s this? In the rapidly intensifying aerial dogfight over regulating climate pollution from international civilian aviation, Europe is flying alone while the United States is demanding a globally negotiated solution. What explains this unexpected role reversal? Simply put, Europe, spurred by a strong awareness of the threat of climate change, has grown understandably impatient with the slow pace of international climate diplomacy and has taken matters into its own hands. The United States and other nations, in contrast, see in Europe’s move a naked power grab with dangerous consequences for non-European airlines and are pushing for an international agreement to thwart European unilateral measures. While these perceptions are easy to summarize, many of the prevailing feelings about this recent transatlantic turbulence rests on myths and misconceptions. The persistence of these myths also explains why few policymakers understand the challenge and importance of bringing this dispute in for a safe landing. Failure to do so would pose enormous risks not only for transatlantic trade relations but also for the global climate and trade systems.